All of my adult life I’ve read the revelation prophecies and the related writings. I too thought we were very close to armageddon but then I started reading Joel Rosenberg, a Messianic Jew who writes fiction. He and the Holy spirit inspired me re-evaluate with some truly critical thinking.
Basically things will get a lot worse for all worldwide before even the Apocalypse. A fore-shadowing of tribulation
In a nutshell:
Although we appear very close to a worldwide financial collapse leading to a one world monetary system, how close are we to a one world religion and language?
What religion would the Anti-christ most likely employ [hint: if you want to counterfeit the dollar then you use the dollar right?]. Talk of a Muslim Anti-christ appears to be just to sell more books etc.
Apocalypse will preceed Armageddon but by how many years, or even decades? Apocalypse appears to be the supernatural defeat of all of Israels enemies referred to in Ezekial 38, 39 iirc. Will it wipe out the worldwide apostate religion - and the Islamic terrorists? Will it wipe out the Dome of the Rock allowing Israel to rebuild their Temple? Will it lead to a worldwide revival and salvation of many, re-infusing the christian religion worldwide as never before? Will all the other religions be abandoned by this supernatural defeat?
Will the rapture happen at the last possible minute before Israel signs the 7 year peace pact with this newly found ‘genius’ leader? Think about this one ~ the Holy Spirit is the restraining force restraining the Anti-christ from appearance onto the world scene. Therefore the rapture - removing of the saints and Holy Spirit residing w/i each true believer is necessary in order to bring about this ‘genius’ appearance ushering in a worldwide ‘peace’.
Mid - Trib and Post - Trib raptures do not appear to be possible b/c the 7 year peace treaty starts the countdown and the Anti-christ sitting in the mercy seat of the new temple demanding to be worshiped. This event represents exactly mid - trib. The church age believers will be in heaven but those accepting salvation after the rapture should know [be able to calculate] the day/hour of the mid-trib and the Armegeddon - with most or all major events and fulfilled end times prophecy being broadcast worldwide.
There is very little there I disagree with. I will state that I think the rapture is described pretty clearly in Revelation 7 though.
And just to throw a monkey wrench into this whole thing, what if the “false religion” is Mormonism?
I’ve also come to relate the communist movement to the building of the kingdom of the AC.
When he comes to power, the consolidation and centralization of power will be nearly complete - under the rule of 10 regions if I remember correctly - then he’ll take over and these 10 “horns” turn their power over to him.
I’m pre-trib for the same reasons you’ve listed - the HS must be gone before he can appear, etc.